Upcoming Events

The RCSI School of Postgraduate Studies is accepting applications from interested registrars/specialist registrars for the StAR MD Programme, to commence in July 2020. This programme encompasses funded MD fees for two years sponsored by a private hospital, a RCSI research consumable budget (€10,000 p.a. for two years) and a paid clinical commitment to Highfield Healthcare, Hermitage Medical Clinic or Blackrock Clinic.

The programme is a highly prestigious and unique opportunity for registrars and specialist registrars who are on a career trajectory towards consultant level.

The StAR MD by dissertation is a body of work representing two calendar years of research activity and holds a place among the higher doctorates at level 10 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). The MD is a key element in the professional training of clinicians, and in order to graduate with the MD degree, you must provide evidence of an original contribution to any area of medicine, surgery, psychiatry or medical science.

RCSI is committed to supporting an effective supervisory system for each candidate registered for the MD and thus a principal and co-supervisor is appointed for each StAR MD candidate.

Interested applicants should have:

• Obtained general or trainee specialist registration with the Irish Medical Council
• Previously undertaken research or audit projects at undergraduate and/or  postgraduate level
• Presentations and publications confirming the quality of their research activity

The closing date for applications is 6 Jan 2020, with interviews of shortlisted candidates expected to take place late January/early February. For more details on the Programme, and to apply, please visit the website here.

The RCSI School of Postgraduate Studies is accepting applications from interested registrars/specialist registrars for the StAR MD Programme, to commence in July 2020. This programme encompasses funded MD fees for two years sponsored by a private hospital, a RCSI research consumable budget (€10,000 p.a. for two years) and a paid clinical commitment to Highfield Healthcare, Hermitage Medical Clinic or Blackrock Clinic.

The programme is a highly prestigious and unique opportunity for registrars and specialist registrars who are on a career trajectory towards consultant level.

The StAR MD by dissertation is a body of work representing two calendar years of research activity and holds a place among the higher doctorates at level 10 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). The MD is a key element in the professional training of clinicians, and in order to graduate with the MD degree, you must provide evidence of an original contribution to any area of medicine, surgery, psychiatry or medical science.

RCSI is committed to supporting an effective supervisory system for each candidate registered for the MD and thus a principal and co-supervisor is appointed for each StAR MD candidate.

Interested applicants should have:

• Obtained general or trainee specialist registration with the Irish Medical Council
• Previously undertaken research or audit projects at undergraduate and/or  postgraduate level
• Presentations and publications confirming the quality of their research activity

The closing date for applications is 6 Jan 2020, with interviews of shortlisted candidates expected to take place late January/early February. For more details on the Programme, and to apply, please visit the website here.

Abstracts are currently being accepted for the the joint European Stroke Organisation and World Stroke Organization Conference (ESO-WSO 2020), which will take place in Vienna, Austria on 12-15 May 2020. This is a really exciting time for stroke medicine and for the ESO and WSO as they embark on this joint congress.

This is the first ever joint ESO-WSO conference and promises to be the largest ever stroke conference to date. The two scientific societies are working hard together to combine the strengths of both of our meetings into a single conference for 2020.

Abstracts are now being accepted for all topics and ongoing trials, and can be submitted here. The Abstract submission deadline for all topics (except ongoing trials) is on Wednesday 15 Jan 2020 midnight CET. The abstract submission deadline for ongoing trials is Wednesday 25 March 2020, midnight CET.

ESO-WSO 2020 will see presentation of major clinical trials, debates and controversies sessions, as well as a packed scientific programme and scientific communications of the latest research. ESO-WSO 2020 expect over 2000 abstract submissions. There will also be an ‘allied health professionals’ strand ensuring there is something for everyone working in stroke care and research. There will also be a pre-conference day filled with teaching courses and other content. The conference is a great opportunity to catch up with friends and colleagues, network and forge new collaborations!

Travel Grants & Young Investigator Awards are available for selected presenters. For more details, please visit the ESO-WSO website.

7th ESO-ESMINT-ESNR Stroke Winter School will take place from 28 – 31 January 2020. ESO, together with ESMINT and ESNR, endorses a winter course for young stroke physicians and neuroradiologists on the topic of acute interdisciplinary stroke treatment. The primary goal of the ESO- ESMINT-ESNR winter school on acute interdisciplinary stroke treatment is to join European young stroke physicians and young neuroradiologists in order to enhance interdisciplinary management of patients with acute ischaemic stroke. A series of concentrated high quality teaching sessions and courses on acute stroke management will be offered at a low price. The secondary goal of the winter school is to perform “hands-on” courses for interventional neuroradiologists and special teaching sessions for stroke physicians. The winter school offers a unique method of teaching. Combining plenum sessions, discussions and technical training, it fosters improvement in treatment of cerebrovascular disease and advance research in this complex field, leading to technical developments.

Further information available here.

The SPHeRE Network 6th Annual Conference will take place in RCSI, 25 Feb 2020 (09.30-17.00). This annual conference creates a space for dialogue between all interested stakeholders in the field of Population and Health Services Research throughout Ireland and Northern Ireland and showcases existing studies which will be of interest to Irish policymakers and practitioners. The theme of the SPHeRE Network 6th Annual Conference is “Data to Policy”, and the specific role of population health research and health services research in evaluating the impact of data on policy and practice. The confirmed keynote speakers this year are:

• Professor Mary Dixon-Woods, Director of THIS Institute/The Health Foundation Professor of Healthcare Improvement Studies in the Department of Public Health and Primary Care, University of Cambridge
• Dr Lorelei Jones, Lecturer in Healthcare Sciences (Healthcare Improvement), School of Health Sciences, Bangor University
• Professor Cathal Walsh, HRB Research Leader in Health Decision Science, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, University of Limerick

This conference will be of interest to anyone involved in Population and Health Services Research, Policy or Practice in Ireland and Northern Ireland including healthcare professionals, health and social care managers, patient and citizen groups, universities and research institutes, government and voluntary sector agencies.

Please see the SPHeRE website here for more details, including the call for abstracts and registration.

The 1^st European Stroke Rehabilitation Workshop will take place on 12 May 2020 before the joint ESO-WSO Conference, in Vienna, Austria.

This workshop focuses on cutting edge clinical and research aspects of stroke, inviting renowned stroke rehabilitation specialists as well as early career colleagues, and is organized under the auspices of the ESO and its Neurorehabilitation Committee.

Please note that the ESO Workshop is on application only and participation is limited.

During the workshop, renown European stroke rehabilitation specialists will share their knowledge with stroke physicians, therapists and nursing professionals. This stroke rehabilitation workshop addresses

• Stroke recovery and it’s underlying mechanisms
• Stroke rehabilitation guidelines for the clinic and research
• The importance and execution of standardized outcome assessment
• The added value of kinematic outcome assessments for stroke recovery
• The application of technology in stroke rehabilitation

The participants will discuss the most recent research and innovative technologies for the rehabilitative treatment of stroke with a faculty of experienced European speakers and have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with standardized outcome assessments.

Who should apply?

Stroke physicians, therapists and nursing professionals with an interest in neurorehabilitation

All applicants are expected to be ESO members or to have applied for ESO membership (junior membership application – up to 35 years, free of charge – is available here).

The ESO Stroke Neurorehabilitation Workshop bears costs of meals and coffee for participants and speakers. Participants cover their accommodation, travel expenses, the dinners outside the usual program and any personal expenses during their stay including telephone and internet costs from the hotel. Accompanying persons are not permitted.

How to apply?

Interested applicants are requested to complete the application form (download here).

The European Stroke Organisation (ESO) is a pan-European society of stroke researchers and physicians, national and regional stroke societies and lay organisations that was founded in December 2007. The World Stroke Organization (WSO) has a mission to reduce the global burden of stroke through prevention, treatment and long term care. WSO is approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a non-governmental organisation for official relations. Join the ESO and the WSO for their jointly organised stroke conference in Vienna, 12-15 May 2020. This is your opportunity to be part of a new level of collaboration across Europe and the World.